Have you thought about taking part in a sporting event this summer?

There are many personal benefits to participating in a sporting event. Of course, it's an opportunity to play sports, to set a goal for yourself and then achieve it, and to find motivation to exercise more. But beyond the benefits of sport itself, you'll inevitably reap secondary benefits you wouldn’t have imagined! 

Increased wellness 
Sporting events are often held outdoors, sometimes even in nature. Being in lush environments, combined with doing some sport, contributes to boosting your well-being. In fact, according to a report by the Montreal Heart Institute's prevention observatory, being in nature has several proven benefits, such as reducing cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, and lowering anxiety. It's good for the body, good for the mind!

A sense of belonging
Meeting new people, sharing a passion, rediscovering the joy of being part of a team… there are plenty of ways that sporting events have a positive social impact! They can help give you a sense of belonging to a community, which is so important these days. The festive atmosphere of sporting events puts you in the right frame of mind to socialize and create a network for yourself around something close to your heart. 

A shared moment of fun with family and friends
Many parents find it important to encourage their kids to develop a passion for sport or to simply share the joy of physical activity with them. Sporting events understand this and put it into practice by including family-friendly components as part of their events. Being in a group can also motivate parents and children alike to get moving. You'll strengthen ties with friends and family by sharing an experience, and ultimately, memories! 

Pride in supporting worthy initiatives
Sporting events, especially small ones, are often run by local non-profit organizations that are committed to promoting good values and making a difference in their communities. If you choose to participate in an event outside your own region, you can also think of it as an opportunity to support small businesses, either by eating at a local restaurant or café, staying in an independent hotel or B&B or visiting shops and tourist attractions.

Although each event is unique, there are many common characteristics to sporting events. Here are a few interesting things you might not know yet.

·        There's a high concentration of sporting events during the summer and even into fall. September is actually the busiest month. And if you prefer exercising outside in the cold, you’ll be happy to know the winter season also has its share of sporting events!

·        If you love biking or running, you’re in luck: there are many events in Quebec for those sports. If those aren’t quite your favourites, don't worry because you can also find events for swimming, canoeing, horseback riding and more. 

·        Organized sporting events are not just for athletes! Many of them are open to different athletic levels so that you can take part at your own pace. 

·        Sporting events in Quebec often last three days, and generally take place over a weekend. If a long weekend off is something that fits your schedule, you can take the opportunity to go to the event and then explore the area afterward.

·        Sporting events often have activities for kids or families as well as live shows for a more exciting experience. That makes these events ones that everyone – not only participating athletes – can enjoy! 

There’s no denying that with such a wide range of events, it can be hard to know which one to go for. Here are some of our suggestions as a starting point:

·        Québec Mega Trail (July 3 to 7) – This race invites runners to make their way across spectacular trails along the banks of the majestic St. Lawrence River from Charlevoix to Mont-Sainte-Anne.

·        The Gatineau Triathlon (July 6) – Several triathlon distances are available for youths and adults. There is also a duathlon option as well as various distances for runners.

·        The Beneva Montreal Marathon (September 20 to 22) – This is the biggest running event in Quebec. It is known for being inclusive and welcoming, and there are different distances to choose from, ranging from 1 to 42.2 km. Plus many iconic Montreal attractions are highlighted along the way.

·        The Gaspesia races (various dates) – Offering marathons, trail running, mountain biking and more, this series of sporting events lets you combine physical activity and the amazing scenery of the Gaspésie region.

You can also check out our directory of sporting events in Quebec to find the one that’s right for you!

Still unsure? Have you thought about volunteering for an event? That can be a great way to see how things work before you commit to participating as an athlete!

That’s absolutely fine! And you’ll get a lot out of attending a sporting event as a spectator, too!

·        You’ll get to see how things work before trying it out as a participant. If you like what you see, you can               always plan to take part next summer (or try something in winter!)
·        You can support friends, loved ones and other participants.
·        You can discover a new sport and, in the case of some events, watch professional athletes at their best.
·        You’ll get to enjoy the great atmosphere along with other spectators.

Local sporting events of all kinds will be happy to see you there cheering everybody on! If you want to catch elite performances, why not check out the National Bank Open presented by Rogers (August 3-12) for top-tier tennis or make the trip up north to the Traversée internationale du lac Saint-Jean (July 20-28) an incredible swimming event featuring international athletes. These events will definitely make you feel just like you’re at the Olympics!

Ready, set, GO!